Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill, NJ: Dinners to Go, Turkey Trots, and Family Traditions

Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill is a real community event, not just a meal. The township runs an official food drive that fills local pantries, the Moorestown Turkey Trot gives runners a reason to earn the big meal, and a lineup of South Jersey kitchens sell heat-and-serve dinners so no one has to spend the whole day in the kitchen. This guide covers where to order Thanksgiving dinner to go, where to find local pies, which turkey trots are worth the drive, and how to give back, so you can plan a relaxed, memorable holiday in the township.

When is Thanksgiving in 2026?

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, which in 2026 lands on Thursday, November 26. That means the holiday weekend runs from Thursday the 26th through Sunday the 29th, with many families taking Friday off for the long weekend. Local schools and the township offices close Thursday and Friday, so it is a full four-day stretch for Cherry Hill families, and one worth planning for ahead of time.

Where can you order Thanksgiving dinner to go in Cherry Hill?

You do not have to roast a turkey to host Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill. A handful of local restaurants and markets sell heat-and-serve dinners that feed the whole table, and most require you to order several days ahead, so early October is exactly the right time to start comparing options.

Bobby Chez, the South Jersey seafood and take-home favorite, offers a complete to-go turkey dinner in the township, with orders typically due about a week before the holiday and pickup on Thanksgiving morning. It is the easiest way to get a full traditional spread without touching the oven. The Capital Grille near the Cherry Hill Mall sells heat-and-serve sides including brioche sage stuffing, Sam's mashed potatoes, pecan-crusted sweet potatoes, green beans, and cranberry pear chutney that you pick up and reheat at home. Amici Restaurant on Route 70 serves a traditional turkey dinner with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn stuffing, and cranberry sauce at a family-friendly price. Seasons 52 also offers a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for pickup.

For a supermarket option, the Wegmans on Route 70 in Cherry Hill runs a full Thanksgiving catering program every year, from a complete turkey dinner for a crowd down to single sides and desserts, and it is a reliable fallback for last-minute shoppers. Cracker Barrel, just down the road, sells its Heat & Serve turkey dinner with pickup over the week before the holiday.

The rule across every option is the same: pre-order early. Catering menus are usually announced by early November, popular pickup windows sell out, and calling the week before is often too late for a full dinner. If you are hosting, make the call, confirm the pickup time, and plan the reheating schedule before the big day.

Where do locals buy pies and desserts in Cherry Hill?

The best Thanksgiving tables in Cherry Hill end with a pie from a local bakery, and the township has plenty of choices for pumpkin, apple, and pecan.

Barclay Pies on Marlton Pike (Route 70) is a Cherry Hill institution that specializes in pies and baked desserts, and it is where many locals go for holiday pies without a second thought. Ponzio's Diner-Bakery-Bar on Marlton Pike has a full bakery counter that turns out fresh pies and cakes, and its Thanksgiving orders are a longtime family tradition. The French and Korean-style bakeries along Haddonfield Road, including Paris Baguette and Tous les Jours, add another option if you want something lighter or non-traditional to balance the table.

If you want a farm-stand feel, Springdale Farms on South Springdale Road bakes fresh pies and seasonal treats, and it is Cherry Hill's only remaining working farm. Note that the farm market is a seasonal operation that closes for the winter, so call ahead at 856.424.8674 to confirm it is still open and taking Thanksgiving orders before you plan around it. The farmers market guide covers the other local markets worth a stop in the fall.

Which turkey trots are near Cherry Hill this Thanksgiving?

Running a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning is a Cherry Hill-area tradition, and there are two big options within a short drive, plus a third for serious racers.

The Moorestown Turkey Trot runs Thanksgiving morning at the Moorestown High School cross-country course, with a 5K plus a 1-mile fun run and walk. It is low-key and untimed, entry is around $10, and it is the classic choice for families who want a relaxed morning tradition before the meal. Registration is online through the race's RunSignup page, which closes the morning of the race.

The Haddon Township Turkey Trot 5K in Westmont, a few minutes from Cherry Hill, is the go-to race for runners from Collingswood and Haddonfield. It is a USATF-certified, chip-timed 5K with a 1-mile fun run, a Thanksgiving costume contest, and a festive crowd. Entry is around $25 early and more on race day, with a reduced rate for kids. It runs the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so you can recover from the meal first.

If you want a Thanksgiving Day race that is chip-timed and competitive, the Williamstown Turkey Trot 5K in Gloucester County runs Thanksgiving morning, about 25 miles away. Whichever you choose, register early, dress for late-November weather, and build in a parking buffer on a busy morning.

How can you give back at Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill?

Thanksgiving is one of the most generous weeks of the year in Cherry Hill, and there are easy, family-friendly ways to give back without leaving town.

The Cherry Hill Township Thanksgiving Food Drive runs from the start of November through November 23, with non-perishable drop-offs at the Municipal Building on Mercer Street, Croft Farm on Bortons Mill Road, and the Cherry Hill Public Library on Kings Highway. The most-needed items are stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, cereal, pasta, canned vegetables and fruit, peanut butter and jelly, and personal-care items like soap and toothpaste. The collected food benefits the Cherry Hill Food Pantry and Jewish Family & Children's Services, and the community resources guide explains how pantry services work for neighbors in need.

If you want to volunteer, the Cherry Hill Food Pantry on Beechwood Avenue always needs volunteer shoppers who partner with clients during pickup and drivers who help with daily store pickups. You can sign up through the pantry's volunteer page. The Food Bank of South Jersey in Pennsauken, about 15 minutes from Cherry Hill, packs and distributes Thanksgiving dinner boxes and needs extra hands in the weeks before the holiday. Volunteers must be at least 13, and teens 13 to 17 need a parent or guardian with them, which makes it a great activity for older kids. Holiday shifts fill fast, so book ahead.

What are the best things to do over Thanksgiving weekend in Cherry Hill?

The four-day weekend is a chance to enjoy Cherry Hill at its coziest, and the township's mix of parks, shopping, and community events covers every age group.

Start the day after Thanksgiving with a walk at Cooper River Park or around Croft Farm, where the late-November light on the trees is worth the cold. Then hit the Cherry Hill Mall, which anchors the shopping scene in town and stays open long hours through the holiday weekend. For families, the family activities guide has ideas that work for every age, and if you have guests in town, the hidden gems guide points to the local spots visitors never find on their own.

A few practical notes for the holiday week. The township curbside trash and recycling schedule shifts on Thanksgiving Day, so check the pickup calendar, and the holiday events guide already has the December celebrations mapped out if you want to plan ahead. If a dog is part of the family, keep the turkey, stuffing, onions, and dessert away from the table floor, because rich food and cooked bones are dangerous for pets. The pet guide has the full list of holiday no-nos for dogs and cats.

Frequently asked questions about Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill

Where can I order Thanksgiving dinner to go in Cherry Hill?

Bobby Chez sells a complete to-go turkey dinner, The Capital Grille offers heat-and-serve sides, and Amici and Seasons 52 both serve traditional turkey dinners. Wegmans on Route 70 and Cracker Barrel are reliable supermarket options. Pre-order at least a week ahead, because pickup windows sell out.

Where can I buy Thanksgiving pies in Cherry Hill?

Barclay Pies on Marlton Pike specializes in holiday pies, Ponzio's Diner-Bakery-Bar has a full bakery counter, and Springdale Farms bakes fresh pies when its seasonal market is open. Paris Baguette and Tous les Jours add non-traditional options along Haddonfield Road.

Is there a turkey trot near Cherry Hill on Thanksgiving?

Yes. The Moorestown Turkey Trot runs Thanksgiving morning with a 5K and a 1-mile fun run, and the Williamstown Turkey Trot 5K is also Thanksgiving Day. The Haddon Township Turkey Trot 5K in Westmont runs the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a costume contest.

Where can I donate food for Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill?

The Cherry Hill Township Thanksgiving Food Drive takes non-perishable donations from November 1 through November 23 at the Municipal Building on Mercer Street, Croft Farm on Bortons Mill Road, and the Cherry Hill Public Library on Kings Highway. Most-needed items include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, cereal, and canned goods.

How can I volunteer at Thanksgiving in Cherry Hill?

The Cherry Hill Food Pantry on Beechwood Avenue needs volunteer shoppers and drivers, and the Food Bank of South Jersey in Pennsauken packs Thanksgiving dinner boxes. Volunteers at the food bank must be at least 13, and teens need a parent or guardian. Book holiday shifts early.

Is Thanksgiving a holiday when township offices close?

Yes. Cherry Hill township offices and schools close Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week, and curbside trash and recycling schedules shift for the holiday, so check the township pickup calendar before putting out bins.

Is it safe to share Thanksgiving food with my dog?

No. Keep turkey skin, bones, stuffing, onions, grapes, and desserts away from pets. Rich, fatty foods can upset a dog's stomach or cause worse, and cooked bones are a choking hazard. Stick to the dog's regular food for the holiday.

A Cherry Hill Thanksgiving is easier than you think when you plan it early: order the dinner to go, grab a pie from Barclay Pies or Ponzio's, walk off the big meal at Cooper River Park, and drop a bag of stuffing and canned goods at Croft Farm or the library before November 23. Have questions about Cherry Hill, the holiday schedule, or anything about living in town? Contact Bob Millaway at 856.426.1522, and Bob will point you in the right direction.